Pinoy New Yorkers on life after 9/11

It is admirable to see how resilient and united New Yorkers are. The city and the people are getting back in shape and because of this, their spirit and strength shine through. It must be because they refuse to let the September 11 tragedy get the better of them. Instead, they have used the 9/11 tragedy to inspire them to become better citizens, looking out after others and after their beloved city, and never forgetting the lessons of 9/11.

In our part of the world, Filipinos went through Edsa 1 and 2, yet it seems nothing has changed. We are still concerned more about what we can do for ourselves rather than what we can do for our country. Perhaps if we were united like New Yorkers, we could make our country great, too.

Lea Salonga, world-class artist: New York seems to have gotten back to normal...Broadway is enjoying a healthy time with quite a few shows ready to open. However, theatergoers seem to be a bit hesitant to make reservations to shows in advance, because of September 11. But at least we’re getting the audiences back into the theaters. The upcoming season looks like a great one, what with Hairspray just opening and Flower Drum going up in October, and other shows slated to open in the coming year. That’s a good sign, considering how grim things looked last year.

New Yorkers possess an indomitable spirit. And Times Square’s never looked better.

Rafe Totengco, bag designer: I’ve only been down Ground Zero once since the 11th. It’s terribly depressing and I don’t recommend it for anybody. It infuriates me when I see tourists having their picture taken. I know the area is a curiosity for most people who don’t live in New York but there is nothing beautiful about the view.

I think the stereotype of New Yorkers being rude and unkind is a thing of the past. I’ve lived here for 13 years and I’ve had a few incidents but not enough to make me come up with such a generalization. The 11th changed everybody, not just New Yorkers. Certainly the compassion has been most felt here but I’ve traveled to Europe several times since then and when I meet people and they find out I’m from New York I always get a sympathetic look or pat on my shoulder or some encouraging words. The 11th was a tragedy for the world, not just New York.

Things are back to normal though or at least it seems that way. Tourism is up, the stores are packed with shoppers and we’re all looking forward to a great fall season. I have friends coming to visit who are more excited than scared to be in New York. It’s still the most exciting city in the world and I’m glad to call it home.

Giselle Toengi, actress: In many ways, the lives of New Yorkers have inevitably changed. Loved ones were lost. Spirits were broken. The World Trade Center represented the core of every New Yorker’s prosperity. People are in fact trying and struggling to live life like it was before the attacks. When you say the word "improved" and "learned" from this blatant horrific act, yes, people realize how destructive humanity can get. Not just in New York or in the United States, but all over the world. But no one can say that they improved for the better. It has made the solidarity more pronounced and in a lot of was brought the people together. But it also made everyone realize how vulnerable the US can be. Imagine to see the President of the United States shed tears of agony and despair on worldwide television! And it has also tarnished innocent Muslims credibility to live in harmony.

Josie Natori, designer: New Yorkers are resilient and while the memory will be with all of us forever, life goes on – with an even greater sense of determination – keeping New York as the capital of the world.

Anna Bayle, fashion model-turned-entrepreneur: New York has always been a city of survivors. And as true New Yorkers, we managed to survive.

I do not consciously pass by the site, but once in a while we have to pass it by cab. What amazes me is that it has become a tourist spot. People who are not from New York are very curious and are willing to pay a certain sum of money to go on a line and view the ruins. I find that phenomenon curious, if not disturbing. If I have guests from out of town (from different countries or states), they almost always ask whether they can see the site. For us New Yorkers, we wouldn’t be caught anywhere near there.

They are also trying to rebuild the area and the government has been giving people incentive to live back down there. (Battery Park City, for instance.) There is a deluge of low rent apartments (Example: $12,000 apartments for $4,000) and to top it all, the city gives something like a 30 percent rebate for living down there on top of the low rent. But who wants to live beside an enormous cemetery? (Just kidding, I myself am looking into good buys downtown.)

This city is a powerhouse and it has to be "business as usual" for the entire country to run. Washington may be the center of government but New York is the center of all business.

People are making a conscious effort to prepare themselves emotionally and psychologically because the anniversary of the fateful event is coming. In school, for instance, my son Callum is going to enter kindergarten and on Sept. 11, at his new school, Friends Seminary, they are holding a meeting with all the children and the school has invited the parents to join.

There will definitely be a very high level of security in the city, as we once again prepare to brace ourselves. And, as always, life goes on.

Tunting Cruz Matters, lawyer: New Yorkers are confronting the tragedy of September 11 by simply being brave. They are dealing with the loss and the pain by just carrying on with the business of living. The city itself is unchanged but its people have become more courageous and more distinctly loyal to the city.

Jay Ocampo, writer-photographer: New York is still in the process of rebuilding, not just physically. Last year’s tragedy was a big blow to the world but even bigger for New Yorkers who are shamelessly proud of their city. "New York is the center of the world," one would commonly hear New Yorkers say. I have lived here for years and have seen places around the world, but many times I, too, would quietly tell myself, "Yes, New York is the center of the world."

I think people here in general have mellowed after 9/11. Maybe they’re not as "nice" as in right after the tragedy, but I believe everyone’s been shook for the better. We’ve realized which things are really important. Our priorities have been set straight.

A few days ago I was back at Ground Zero. It still feels weird to be down there. Now the space is deep and empty. Tourists are coming to see it, faces are solemn.

How’s New York after 9/11? I think the city’s doing fine. People are going out again. Restaurants and bars are getting their customers back. People feel like shopping again. New York is trying to get back to normal but, of course, as everyone knows, after 9/11, New York will never be the same again.

Isabel Diaz, artist: A year after the September 11 tragedy, New York seems like it is back to normal. I think New Yorkers wanted to move on and not let terrorism suppress our lives. Business is back to normal. Traffic is back to normal. Tourism seems busier than ever. Surprisingly it will take more than the Twin Towers falling down to crush our spirit as Americans. We all realize how fragile life is but one way to cope is to move forward with your life. There are times though when I look downtown and expect to see the towers there. The void in the skyline leaves a void in my heart.